As of today, the Blue Flag is waving on 2013 beaches in Cyprus, which meet the strict international quality criteria of the institution, breaking last year's record of 57 beaches and one of them is Agia Thekla!The "Friends of the Sea - CYMEPA", as the National Operator, awarded the Blue Flags today, in a ceremony that took place on the beach of Kourion, in the Diocese, followed by the hoisting of the Blue Flag.
The Municipality of Ayia Napa had the first place this year with 13 flags, while the Municipality of Paralimni received 9 flags and the community of Agios Tychonas of Limassol received 7 flags. The Municipality of Paphos secured 6 flags, Larnaca 3, while the Municipalities of Limassol, Geroskipou, Polis Chrysochous and Pegeia, as well as the communities of Pentakomou and Pyrgos received 2 flags. The Blue Flag was received by the Municipality of Agios Athanasios, the Diocese, Pissouri, the Chapel, the Pervolia and the Vorokliri.
The Municipality of Sotira received a Blue Flag for the beach of Agia Thekla.
On behalf of the National Manager, CYMEPA Secretary General Michalis Iereidis stated that the Blue Flag closes 26 years of life internationally today and 18 years in Cyprus, contributing to the acquisition of knowledge, correct attitudes and values, "data necessary to promote sustainable development practices and sustainable use of beaches by local authorities. "
Recalling that during the summer season, inspections on the beaches with the Blue Flag continue, Mr. Ieridis said that it has become clear, over time, that most observations are about incomplete information and called for emphasis on the correct information of the information boards of the beaches. .
"Despite 18 years of successful implementation of the program, we are not resting," he said, adding that "ensuring that bathing water remains excellent, we will intensify our efforts in other areas, such as better organization and control, environmental education, aesthetics, security." bathers and the provision of decent facilities for people with disabilities. "
Welcoming the award ceremony, Limassol District Governor Stala Konstantinou said the Blue Flag was an incentive for local authorities and the private sector to take steps to continuously improve the services offered on the beaches, based on the criteria, most of which are the quality of sea water, environmental education and information and the organization of the beach and the safety of bathers.
"The Ministry of Interior attaches special importance to these measures and through the District Administrations, in cooperation with the Local Authorities, ensures that there is a sufficient number of lifeguards properly trained to monitor the beaches," he added.
Ms. Konstantinou finally assured that the institution has the full support of the Government, for further upgrading of the high performance of the quality of our beaches, so that gradually all of them acquire a Blue Flag.
The President of the Community Council of the Diocese, Pavlos Pouris, said that the Blue Flag, which is acquired for the first time by the beach of Kourion, will bring multiple benefits to the area, which combines its natural beauty with its rich marine world, while reminding that it is one of the most important areas for the reproduction of the fiery vulture, the hawk "Petritis", the sea urchin and the falcon of Eleonora, while it hosts hundreds of turtles.
The Bishop's Association for the Provision of a Blue Flag on Kouriou Beach was congratulated by the spokesperson of the British Base Administration Karies Oram, who assured that the Base Management will continue to work closely with the community authorities to protect the beaches.
During the ceremony, children from the Municipal Diocese who participated in a three-degree painting competition on the subject of the beach were also awarded, while then students presented an artistic program with songs, dance and tsiattista, on the subject of the sea.